Poděbrady Glass

This year's exhibition season at the Polabské muzeum is dedicated to Poděbrady glass.

The permanent exhibition featuring the oldest products from the local glassworks is complemented by an extensive exhibition commemorating 150 years of existence of Poděbrady's only major industrial enterprise. The local glassworks was founded in 1876 by brothers Jan and Augustin Gerhardt, who moved glass production here from their glassworks in Posázaví. Due to unsuitable conditions for such a business, the glassworks soon went bankrupt. It was only when experienced glass entrepreneur Josef Inwald bought it at auction in 1893, expanded and modernized it, that the Poděbrady glassworks began to prosper. The main focus became the production of siphon bottles and later light bulbs, which found markets all over the world. The year 1927 was significant, when the production of lead crystal was introduced at the glassworks, and this type of glass is still produced here today. Beautifully cut crystal products were replaced by production for wartime purposes during the occupation.

A new era in the history of the enterprise began after its nationalization and the introduction of the production of so-called lead press glass, which was cheaper and in high demand. After a fire at the glassworks in 1941, a major reconstruction took place, followed by expansion into other operations. Great attention was paid to the building movement and care for the workers. In 1965, the new enterprise Sklárny Bohemia Poděbrady was established, to which other enterprises producing lead glass were connected. At that time, the glassworks was at its peak, and through foreign trade via Skloexport, over 90% of its products went worldwide. The current joint-stock company "Crystal Bohemia" continues the Poděbrady glassmaking tradition. The entire history is presented on 15 panels with rich photographic documentation and 12 display cases with a large collection of glass from all periods, which is housed in the collections of the Polabské muzeum.